When Calls the Heart Season 12: Cast and plot details

When Calls the Heart Season 12 is coming, but when? Here’s the full lowdown on potential stories and when we’ll expect to see new episodes.

When Calls the Heart Season 11 ended on June 23, 2024, but Hearties (that’s the fanbase, if you hadn’t realized) still want more.

Thankfully, we now have an actual release date after endless months of speculation around a vague window. The new TV show is mere weeks away, and the cast is starting to let a few details slip.

But what can we expect, and is Lucas coming back? For all the latest on When Calls the Heart Season 12, keep reading.

Is there a release date?

When Calls the Heart Season 12 returns to screens on January 5, 2025. Episodes air on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.

Hallmark shared an initial announcement video on June 24, 2024.

In a TV guide interview following the When Calls the Heart Season 11 finale, showrunner Lindsay Sturman said, “It’s thrilling to be in Season 12 of any show, but especially this show with such an incredible fanbase.

It’s an amazing cast with so many stories to tell,” she continued, “we hope the show goes on for years because we only get to tell so many stories each season.”

When Calls the Heart Season 12 plot

Sturman revealed the plot “will focus on romance as we follow Elizabeth and Nathan’s relationship,” and that Season 12 picks up immediately after the Season 11 finale.

Hallmark Channel

In the same interview, the showrunner added, “Little Jack would be starting school and some of our main students are graduating.

Telling stories about these big moments lets us touch on themes of facing the future, overcoming fears, and following your true path to happiness, which is, of course, Elizabeth’s story – following her heart.”

While Season 11’s Jack bombshell worried invested fans, Sturman said, “They’re on a journey to get closer, people should not worry.”

This is a cozy Hallmark series, after all. There might be twists and heartbreak, but there will also be warmth to level the scales.

Season 12 cast

Erin Krakow as Elizabeth, Kevin McGarry as Nathan, Chris McNally as Lucas, Kavan Smith as Lee, and Hyland Goodrich as Little Jack are returning.

Confirmed When Calls the Heart Season 12 cast:

• Erin Krakow as Elizabeth Thornton
• Kevin McGarry as Nathan Grant
• Chris McNally as Lucas Bouchard
• Hyland Goodrich as Little Jack
• Kavan Smith as Leland “Lee” Coulter

Hallmark Channel

Speaking to TV Guide, McGarry said he hoped the new couple is endgame, “We’re not going to destroy anything built in Season 11. I think we’re only going to strengthen it.”

Sturman’s comments on Season 12’s plot also made it evident series lead Krakow isn’t going anywhere for the foreseeable future.

There were murmurs of McNally leaving When Calls the Heart, but Sturman put that to bed, “he’s growing into this leader, Season 12 is a new chapter of him facing these challenges while trying to always do good for all the people that he represents and for Hope Valley.”

He added in an interview with Good Housekeeping “Well, there is one of the new characters that’s coming to town who represents a fairly strong opposition to Lucas, and I think within that is a spark of chemistry, and we will see where that goes.

“I’m not sure yet, but I also don’t want to spoil anything, but I think fans will be excited to meet this new individual and get to know them and follow that journey.”

She mentioned Lucas would face a “push and pull” about perhaps returning to Capital City, with Lee in tow.

As for former series regular Daniel Lissing, Jack “is not coming back,” so we can cross him off the list.

As for the rest of the gang, while there’s no official word, we expect all the main characters from the finale to be back, considering Season 12 will start right after the events of Season 11 Episode 12.

Is there a Season 12 trailer?

There’s no Season 12 trailer. We likely won’t get one until 2025.

With production starting in the second half of 2024, we expect footage to crest by mid-2025.

You can stream previous seasons of When Calls the Heart on Hallmark Movies Now.

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